Centre Notifies National Social Security Board for Gig and Platform Workers

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has issued the Constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers on 30 October 2026. This board has been set up according to the Code on Social Security, 2020, and will be responsible for recommending, designing, and monitoring the welfare schemes for workers not covered by the conventional employment structure. The setting up of the board will bring together various stakeholders like the governments, aggregators, employers, trade unions, and civil society organizations.

Centre Constitutes National Social Security Board for Gig & Platform Workers

Constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers has been notified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

This Board has been set up as per the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The main objective of this body is to enhance the social security system for unorganised workers, which includes people who earn via digital platforms.

The Board shall make recommendations of appropriate welfare schemes to the Government of India and assist in implementation of those schemes and advise on issues of social security of these categories of workers.

Who Are Gig Workers and Platform Workers?

The Code on Social Security, 2020, differentiates between gig workers and platform workers.

• Gig workers: People who carry out work or are engaged in a work arrangement and make money from activities that fall outside the conventional employer-employee relationship.
• Some examples are independent service providers, freelance professionals, and those who have taken up short-term assignments.
• Platform workers: People who carry out work using an online platform. These online platforms connect service providers to customers.

Members of the National Social Security Board

The Board shall be headed by the Union Minister of Labour and Employment.

The members of the Board include representatives from various sectors of the economy and the labour environment in order to make consultation and coordination possible.

These will consist of the group of,

• Representatives from the Central Government.
• Representatives from State Governments.
• Representatives from aggregators.
• Representatives from the employers’ side.
• Representatives from civil society organizations.
• Representatives from workers’ unions.
• Representatives from gig and platform workers’ organizations.

Functions and Duties of the National Social Security Board

The Board has been entrusted with certain duties in connection with welfare policies, monitoring of implementation and social security administration.

1. Recommend Social Security Schemes

The Board shall recommend appropriate social security schemes to the Central Government for various classes of unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.

2. Advice the Central Government

The Board will advice the Central Government on any matter arising out of the administration of the Code on Social Security, 2020 in cases where it is referred to the Board.

3. Monitor Welfare Schemes

The Board will be responsible for monitoring social welfare schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers run by the Central Government.

4. Review Record Keeping at the State Level

It will review record-keeping functions performed at the state level in order to examine the administration of social security measures.

5. Review Expenditure

The Board will review the expenditure from the said fund and account.

How Frequently Would the Board Conduct Its Meetings?

The responsibility of conducting a minimum of three meetings is with the National Social Security Board.

The meetings will be held following the procedural guidelines provided by the Central Government for conducting an official meeting.

The purpose of the regular meetings is, among other things, to make important policy decisions, examine welfare scheme policies and oversee activities related to the social security system.